Airlines try to reassure travellers after third flight tragedy
The airline industry has offered reassurance to travellers about the safety of air travel after a series of terrible tragedies.
Although air travel fatalities this year have already surpassed the 210 deaths in 2013, the industry is insisting that flying is still among one of the safest activities to do.
"This has been a very sad week for everyone involved with aviation," said Tony Tyler, the director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association.
"With three tragedies in such quick succession, many people will, understandably, be asking questions about aviation safety. Our number one priority is safety. And despite the events of the past seven days, flying is safe."
Tyler said around 100,000 flights take to the sky every day and land without incident.
"In 2013 more than three billion people flew and there were 210 fatalities. Regrettably, we have surpassed that number already this year. But even so, getting on an aircraft is still among the safest activities that one can do."
In the latest disaster, an Air Algerie passenger plane carrying 116 people has crashed in Burkino Faso with no survivors.
Earlier this week, a TransAsia Airways flight crashed near Magong Airport in an emergency landing with 54 on board.
Both tragedies come after a Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down in Ukraine, killing all 298 on board.
"Our heartfelt sorrow goes to all those who have lost their lives in these tragedies. And the industry’s thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones," said Tyler.
"Every accident is one too many. The greatest respect that we can pay to the memory of those involved is to leave nothing unturned in our quest to understand the cause and to take steps to ensure that it is not repeated.
"Safeguarding our customers from harm as we transport them around the world is core to the mission of the aviation industry. It has been that way throughout our development over the last century. And we continue to do everything in our power to make flying ever safer."
Referring specifically to the downing of flight MH17, Tyler said ‘no effort should be spared in ensuing that this outrage is not repeated’.
"Of course, nobody should be shooting missiles at civilian aircraft – governments or separatists. Governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made. And the industry will do all that it can to support governments in the difficult work that lies ahead," he said.
"This was a terrible crime. But flying remains safe. And everyone involved in global air transport is fully dedicated to making it even safer."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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